Overview
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Hailing from a nomadic Goliath tribe calling themselves The Wolves of Meruchinskaya (a unique dialect meaning "Many Mountains"), Yorislaw (Yoor-ihs-slahv) Vissarionovich or "Yasha" grew up never seeing money, cities or mass political movements (outside of whisperings of some events in Caldar). He grew up in a very harsh environment where you either fought for your survival or you died. Emotion or hesitation was often seen as hallmarks of weaklings and cowards in his roving band of nomads who subsisted on what could be gathered, hunted or captured from tribes or travelers who could not avoid their scouts or warriors whilst travelling in the Wolves' current domain.
His mother and father were hard, no-nonsense people who saw a duty in preparing their son for the harsh life that awaited him on the peaks of the Wildlands. Both parents did not hesitate to physically instruct him through whatever means made it clear that they cared little for his complaints, but only that he became strong and could survive and be useful to the tribe. Over time Yasha became quite formidable in short spurts of violence that sometimes occurred while scouting and hunting outside of the tribe's stalking ground. Before long he was granted a leading role in a few raiding parties and hunting adventures, soon making a name for himself as an above-average fighter capable of withstanding blows that would incapacitate other men.
Over time though, Yasha grew quite fond of drinking and carousing with other lackadaisacal elements of the tribe and would often be seen carrying out punishments meted out to him either from the warrior leaders or from his own parents. But it was already too late for him, as drinking and fighting and physical suffering became like breathing to him which won him few accolades in the eyes of the leadership despite any prowess he demonstrated.
Unbeknownst to him or his parents the tribe's council had indeed neglected their primary directive in making sure that their migration and hunting habits were not exploited or threatened. One fateful night the tribe was surrounded by the raiding parties of 3 disparate tribes (one of which was actually a Dwarven clan that had grown resentful of the Wolves' prosperity). It was a slaughter of unheard of proportions in the oral annals of Yasha's tribe... In a battle that lasted until daybreak, the sun rose on blood-soaked stone, snow and mud and spelled the end of one of the most feared and well organized nomadic Goliath tribes that the Wildlands had seen in an era.
Fortunately for Yorislaw Vissarionovich he was spared by his God and strength Krevor(called Rus-Lahan by members of the tribe), but in a way that he could never had anticipated. During an expressly chaotic night of drinking hard spirits he was drawn into a small cave over a mile away from the camp by a vision of a giant goat with 3 sets of horns that glinted in the fire light. Upon reaching the inside of the small cave he was overtaken by sleep and had come awake the next dawn, half covered in frost and dim sunlight. Through bloodshot eyes and a splitting headache he navigated his way back to the ransacked camp of the Wolves of Meruchinskaya...
Dropping to his knees he cried out for him mother, then his father and then to the one being that might have still heard him- Rus-Lahan, Krevor. A large tri-horned goat appeared next to three battle standards that had been placed atop a pile of burning men, women, children and livestock. Searing the three flags and the sight of what was left of his family and home left in a macabre display into his throbbing eyes, he swore an oath of blood and battle to his God and whispered a promise of retribution upon the smoking remains of his clan, now that he was the last of the Wolves.
Relationships
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During a Gnoll hunt 5 years ago Yorislaw forced the pack of Gnolls into an unfortunate encounter with Bridgid Blackthorn, a young Druidess who was in the area foraging for wood and food, or any animals in need of rescue. He quickly got his hunting party into position in order to surround the braying and yipping pack, with Bridgid at the front and Yorislaw in the center. The pack was led by a ferocious Pack Lord named Blood Hackle who thrashed and slashed about ravenously while his position came under siege by the group of humans and Goliaths. With his keen talent with a blade and shield and Bridgid's skill with claw and fang (a shapeshifter) the Gnoll pack was slain at their feet, but not without a fair amount of wounds and torn armor and clothing. After greeting each other and applauding one another's skill and bravery the two became quick allies and exchanged items and words of encouragement before parting ways. To commemorate the occasion they each took one of Blood Hackle's ears as a memento for their quick partnership.
Orrek Hammerborn stumbled upon Yorislaw hiding and shivering beside a large pine tree not long after the Battle of Cherimba Pass had concluded, leaving him starved and in despair with little in the way of allies. The Dwarves that accompanied Orrek on their path through the mountains insisted that poor Yasha be abandoned to his fate but Orrek felt compelled to help him on behalf of Iskar and through the prompting of his own conscience. Once Yorislaw had regained a semblance of active life he became jovial and upbeat, crying out for beer or vodka and a rousing song to lift his spirits once more. Orrek tried his best to accommodate his new friend and offered him some wine and an old Dwarven song for finding new allies. It was a paltry tune but was more than enough for Yorislaw to join in with Orrek in humming the song and dancing wildly until finally passing out from exhaustion. The two traveled together for a short time, trading stories of battles and ballads about women, work and general masculine pastimes. After Orrek was assured of his friend's health they agreed to go their separate ways for a time but exchanged information so that if they required it they could find each other again.
Notable Events
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The Battle of Cherimba Pass (4E 1361) which saw the end of the presence of the Wolves on the Lands of Arda.
Status
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Currently alive.
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